Forming highly contoured composite parts

ABSTRACT

A method of forming a flat composite charge into a contoured composite part reduces wrinkles in the part as the charge is being formed. Dies are used to form a portion of charge to the steepest contour of the part, while tension is maintained on the charge as the remaining portions of the charge are formed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/105,104 filed Apr. 13, 2005, and Ser. No. 12/138,975 filed Jun. 13, 2008, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to the fabrication of composite parts, and deals more particularly with a method and apparatus for forming flat composite charges into highly contoured parts, especially contoured structural members.

BACKGROUND

Parts such as structural members formed from laminated composites may be fabricated using a flat multi-ply charge of prepreg materials. The charge may be formed into a desired part shape using a forming press having male and female dies that compress and form the charge into the desired shape, which is normally a straight or mildly contoured shape. Difficulty may be encountered, however, when attempting to form highly contoured structural members using dies as described above because of the tendency of the plies to form wrinkles as the charge is being compressed. Accordingly, the fabrication of highly contoured structural members using composites is generally limited to hand lay-up techniques in which each ply is laid up by hand over a die or other tool in order to reduce the possibility of wrinkling. This hand lay-up technique is labor intensive, and thus costly, as well as relatively slow.

A further problem with current techniques for forming highly contoured parts members is the limited flexibility of existing forming machines to accommodate differing part shapes that are highly contoured. Since the tooling normally has a permanent shape that may not be easily altered, separate tooling dies must be fabricated to accommodate differing part shapes.

Finally, existing solutions for forming highly contoured parts may require separate fixtures for forming, transporting and installing or placing the formed part on cure tooling or onto the surface of another laminate.

Accordingly, there is a need for a method and apparatus for forming highly contoured composite parts, especially structural members, that reduces or eliminates wrinkling during the forming process. There is also a need for apparatus for forming highly contoured parts that is easily reconfigurable to form parts having differing shapes and which may be used to transport and place the formed part.

SUMMARY

The disclosed embodiments provide a method and apparatus for forming highly contoured composite parts, especially elongate parts such as structural members, using a substantially flat composite charge that may comprise multiple plies of prepreg material. The apparatus includes mating dies having contour shapes that may be easily and automatically reconfigured to produce a variety of parts having various contours. One of the dies has multiple die portions that are independently controllable to progressively form the charge in a manner that maintains the charge in tension in order to reduce or eliminate wrinkling. Using digital controls and suitable algorithms, the apparatus may form a part from the bottom up or the top down, or any combination therebetween, thus assuring that the composite charge will be formed substantially without wrinkles regardless of whether the contouring is concave, convex or a combination of both concave and convex anywhere along the length of the part. The method may ensure that the plies of the charge are constantly being formed and moved to a larger radius of the contour, and thus kept in tension. One of the dies may be used to support the formed part during transportation and handling, and may also be used to assist in placing the part on a substrate such as a skin layup, thus eliminating the need for special tooling for transporting and placing the part.

In accordance with one disclosed embodiment, apparatus is provided for forming a composite charge into a contoured part, comprising: first and second dies between which the charge may be formed, the first die having a plurality of first die portions individually displaceable and forming a changeable die contour; a plurality of actuators for respectively displacing the first die portions; and a programmed controller for controlling the first actuators to displace the first die portions to form a desired contour. The first die may include a flexible die tray and a plurality of die portions mounted on the die tray. The first die includes a plurality of die portions controlled by actuators which change the contour of the first die. The second die includes a plurality of die portions also controlled by actuators which displace the die portions of the second die sequentially in order to progressively form the charge in a manner that maintains the charge in tension during the forming process.

According to another disclosed embodiment, apparatus for forming a composite charge into a contoured part, comprises: first and second dies between which the charge may be formed, the first die having a contour corresponding to the contour of the part to be formed, the second die including a plurality of die portions; and, means for closing the die portions of the second die against the first die in a predetermined sequence that substantially maintains tension on the composite charge as the charge is being formed.

According to a further embodiment, apparatus is provided for forming a composite charge into a shaped part, comprising: a forming machine for forming the composite charge; a portable carrier for transporting the shaped part away from the forming machine; first and second dies between which the charge may be formed, the first die being mounted on the forming machine, and the second die being mounted on the portable carrier; and, means for releasably coupling the portable carrier with the forming machine.

According to a disclosed method embodiment, forming a contoured composite part comprises: placing an essentially flat composite charge between first and second dies; keeping the first and second dies separated by the thickness of the flat charge and moving the first and second dies together to form the contour of the centerline of the charge without forming the cross section of the part, then moving the second die towards the first die to form the part cross section in convex curves and the first die towards the second die to form the part cross section in concave curves. An optional disclosed method embodiment; forming a contoured composite part comprises: placing an essentially flat composite charge between first and second dies using the first and second dies to form a portion of charge to the steepest contour of the part; and, using the first and second dies to form the remaining portions of the charge to other contours of the part, including maintaining tension on the charge as the remaining portions of the charge are formed.

According to a another disclosed method embodiment, reducing wrinkles in a composite charge as the charge is being formed into a part having a contour, comprises: forming a first portion of the charge to a tightest part of the contour; and, then, forming other portions of the charge to other parts of the contour, including maintaining tension on the charge as the other portions of the charge are being formed.

According to a further disclosed method, forming composite charges into contoured composite parts, comprises: storing a plurality of data files respectively containing contour data representing the contours of a plurality of parts; selecting a part to be formed; retrieving contour data from one of the data files for the selected part; using the retrieved contour data to calculate the relative displacement between two dies that will maintain tension of the charge as the charge is being formed; and forming the flat charge between the dies, including relatively displacing the dies according to the calculated displacement.

According to yet another method embodiment, a manufacturing method comprises: placing a first die in a forming machine; placing a second die on a portable carrier; coupling the portable carrier to the forming machine such that the first and second dies are in registration with each other; using the first and second dies to form a composite charge into a shaped part; uncoupling the portable carrier from the forming machine after the shaped part has been formed; and transporting the shaped part away from the forming machine using the portable carrier, including using the second die to support the shaped part as the shaped part is being transported.

The disclosed embodiments satisfy the need for a method and apparatus for forming highly contoured composite parts that is easily configurable to form various contours and reduces or eliminates wrinkles in the formed parts.

Other features, benefits and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the following description of embodiments, when viewed in accordance with the attached drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of apparatus for forming highly contoured composite parts.

FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, wherein a portable carrier is shown uncoupled from the forming machine.

FIG. 3 is an illustration similar to FIG. 2 but showing the portable carrier coupled to the forming machine and the dies in an open position, ready to receive a flat composite charge.

FIG. 4 is an illustration similar to FIG. 2 but showing the dies in a closed, forming position.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of components for changing the contour of the die and forming the charge.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a hat shaped structural member formed by the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the structural member shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective illustration of the backing plate for the first die.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the area designated as “A” in FIG. 8 and showing further details of the backing plate.

FIG. 10 is a perspective illustration of the first die.

FIG. 11 is a view in the direction 11-11 shown in FIG. 10, and illustrating additional details of the backing plate.

FIG. 12 is a perspective illustration of a slide assembly forming part of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 2-4.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing details of the connection between the die tray and a support rod.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the connection shown in FIG. 12 but viewed from a different angle.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 14 but showing a second anvil locked to the connection.

FIG. 16 is a perspective illustration of the second anvil and showing details of the coupling.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a clamping mechanism used to lock the contour of the second die.

FIGS. 18-20 are graphs useful in explaining the forming sequence.

FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram of the control system forming part of the apparatus.

FIG. 22 is a flow diagram broadly illustrating the disclosed method.

FIG. 23 is a flow diagram illustrating additional steps of the method illustrated in FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a side view illustrating the use of the die tray and second die to place a formed part on the surface of a laminate skin.

FIG. 25 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of transporting the formed part to a location where it is placed on a substrate.

FIG. 26 is a flow diagram of aircraft production and service methodology.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram of an aircraft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIG. 1, apparatus generally indicated by the numeral 30 may be used to form a substantially flat composite charge 36 into a contoured part (not shown). As used herein, “part” and “structural member” refer to a wide variety of contoured composite parts which, due to the relative severity of their contours, may be subject to wrinkling during the forming process. For convenience, the embodiments will be described in connection with the forming of a structural member, however, other elongate parts having curvatures or contours along their length may be formed according to the embodiments.

The apparatus 30 broadly includes first and second dies 32, 34, respectively between which a flat composite charge 36 may be formed into a contoured part substantially free of wrinkles. The first die 32 includes a plurality of first die portions 32 a that are independently displaceable relative to each other and react against a corresponding set of first anvils 78. The first die portions 32 a collectively form a changeable die contour 37 (FIGS. 2 and 5). Similarly, the second die 34 includes a plurality of independently displaceable second die portions 34 a which react against a corresponding set of second anvils 80. The second die portions 34 a are mounted on a flexible backing plate 48.

The first die 32 is supported on a flexible die tray 56 mounted on portable carrier 30 b that is releasably coupled to the first anvils 78 by means of a releasable coupling 95. A set of contour control actuators 77 control the displacement of the first anvils 78, and thus control the independent displacement of the first die portions 32 a to change the contour of the first die 32 along its length. A set of shape forming actuators 75 control displacement of the second anvils 80, and thus independently control the displacement of the second die portions 34 a. Actuators 75, 77 are controlled by a programmed controller 134 which, as will be discussed later, uses operator inputs, an algorithm and part contour data to control the operation of the actuators 75, 77. Through the operation of the controller 134, the first die portions 32 a may be individually displaced to collectively form a changeable die contour 37 (FIG. 5) corresponding to the part to be formed. Similarly, through operation of the controller 134, the second die portions 34 a are individually displaced sequentially to form the flat charge 36 against the contoured first die 324 in a manner that maintains tension on the charge 36 throughout the forming process as the second die 34 is closed against the first die 32, thus reducing or eliminating wrinkles in the formed part.

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate additional details of the apparatus 30 which may be used to form a flat charge 36 (FIG. 3) into a part 38 such as a contoured structural member of the type shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In this example, the part 38 is a hat shaped stiffener that may be used, for example and without limitation, in the aircraft industry to stiffen a variety of structures such as wings, spars, stabilizers, etc. In the illustrated example, the part 38 includes a central hat section 40, and a pair of outwardly extending flanges 42. As shown in FIG. 7 the part 38 is contoured at 45 along its longitudinal axis 43. As used herein, “contoured” and “highly contoured” mean a contour or curvature in the direction of the length of the charge that is sufficient in its severity to result in potential wrinkling or bunching between the plies forming the flat charge 36 when using conventional forming techniques. As will be discussed below, wrinkling of the composite charge 36 used to form the part 38 is reduced or eliminated by forming the entire member at once starting at the inner or smaller radius 38 a and, while holding the outer die set stationary, moving the inner dies outward towards the larger radius. Optionally, wrinkling of the composite charge 36 used to form the part 38 is reduced or eliminated by commencing forming at the steepest part 38 a of the contour 45, and then proceeding to adjacent parts 38 b, 38 c that are progressively less steep, so that tension on the charge 36 is maintained substantially throughout the forming process. As used herein, “steep” and steepest” refer to the area of the part 38 that has the greatest rate of change in shape, such as, for example and without limitation, the sharpest or tightest part of a curve.

The composite charge 36 may comprise multiple plies (not shown) of prepreg materials which may be knitted or woven fabrics pre-impregnated with a suitable resin binder. However, the disclosed method and apparatus may also be useful in forming dry charges where the fabrics have been pre-treated with resin materials that may cause the plies to wrinkle during the forming process. Similarly, the disclosed method and apparatus may be useful in forming multi-ply charges of dry fabric having “tackifiers” that tack the fabric plies together in a desired shape and/or alignment prior to resin infusion. Also, although the disclosed embodiments have been illustrated in connection with the forming of composite charges 36, they may also be useful in forming charges comprising other multi-ply materials having a tendency to wrinkle during the forming of highly contoured parts.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2-5, the apparatus 30 broadly comprises a forming machine 30 a and a portable carrier 30 b. The apparatus 30 includes first and second dies 32, 34 respectively between which the flat charge 36 may be placed in order to form the charge 36 into a contoured part 38 (FIG. 6). The apparatus 30 may employ an orthogonal x,y,z coordinate system 44 in which the x-axis corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the charge 36, and the formed contour extends in the y direction.

The first die 32 is mounted on the portable carrier 30 b, while the second die 34 is mounted on the forming machine 30 a. The portable carrier 30 b comprises a wheeled frame 62 having a beam 60 mounted thereon. The first die 32 comprises a plurality of individual die portions 32 a that are individually displaceable relative to each other and thus form a changeable die contour 37. The die portions 32 a are mounted on a flexible die tray 56 formed of any suitable flexible material, such as thin aluminum or a synthetic material. The die tray 56 is supported on a plurality of spaced apart push rods 58 that are each mounted for vertical displacement on the beam 60. As will be discussed later in more detail, the portable carrier 30 b may be used to transport the first die 32 supporting a formed part 38 therein to a location where the part 38 may be transferred to either cure tooling (not shown) or placed upon a substrate, such as an uncured skin (not shown).

The second die 34 is mounted on the bottom of a flexible backing plate 48 which may comprise, for example and without limitation, relatively thin aluminum or other similar metals or flexible synthetic materials. The backing plate 48 is mounted on a plurality of second anvils 80 for sliding movement along the x axis by a series of slide plates 54 that will be discussed in more detail below. The second anvils 80 are secured to brackets 76 mounted on corresponding slide arms 66. The slide arms 66 are mounted for independent vertical sliding movement along the y-axis, on vertical supports 70 which are in turn secured to a frame 64. The vertical supports 74 are displaceable by the shape forming actuators 75 along the y-axis.

The first anvils 78 are respectively secured to the slide arms 68 by brackets 81. The slide arms 68 are slideably mounted on the vertical supports 70 for movement along the y-axis. The support arms 68 are also secured to vertical supports 72 which are displaceable along the y-axis by contour control actuators 77. Thus, from the forgoing description, it can be appreciated that the first and second anvils 78, 80 respectively, are moveable toward and away from each other, respectively driven by the actuators 77, 75.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 8-11 the flexible backing plate 48 includes a plurality of sets of guide supports 52 which guide the relative sliding movement between the slide plates 54 and the backing plate 48 in the direction of the x-axis 44. Arms 55 on the ends of later discussed pivot pins 51 mounted on side plates 54 may engage one of the guide supports 52 to limit the relative displacement between the slide plates 54 and the backing plate 48.

As shown in FIG. 10, the second die 34 may include a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transverse grooves or slots 57 formed therein which provide the second die 34 with the flexibility necessary to bend and/or twist along its longitudinal axis 63 in order to conform the second die 34 to a particular contour. In the illustrated example, the second die 34 is formed of aluminum, however a variety of other suitable materials may be employed including other metals and plastics. Depending upon the flexibility of the materials used to fabricate the die 34, the grooves 57 may not be necessary in some embodiments. While the second die 34 has been illustrated as being a single flexible member, the second die 34 may also be formed of a plurality of individual pieces.

The backing plate 48 may include a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending grooves or slots 50 therein which reduce the thickness of the backing plate 48 at spaced apart locations that provide the backing plate 48, and thus the second die 34, with the necessary flexibility to bend and/or twist in order to form highly contoured part shapes.

FIG. 12 illustrates additional details of a slide assembly 59. Each of the slide arms 66, 68 may be mounted for vertical sliding movement on the vertical support 70 by means of slide rails 71 or other suitable mounting arrangements. The slide arms 66, 68 are vertically aligned so that the first anvil 78 remains aligned beneath the second anvil 80 as the slide arms 66, 68 move relative to each other. A load cell 90 may be placed between or more one sets of the slide arms 66, 68 in order to measure the force applied to the dies 32, 34 through the anvils 78, 80. Movement of the anvils 78, 80 toward each other during the forming process compresses the load cell 90 which responds by generating an electrical signal representing the compression force being applied by the anvils 78, 80 to the charge 36. The second anvils 80 are pivotally connected to the slide plate 54 by pivot pins 51.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 13 and 14 which depict details of a self-adjusting mounting assembly 92 used to mount the die tray 56 on each of the push rods 58. An upper U-shaped bracket 94 is secured to the upper end of the push rod 58 and includes outwardly depending pivot pins 96. A lower U-shape bracket 98 is pivotally mounted on the upper bracket 94 by the pivot pins 96 which are received within curved slots 100 in the lower bracket 98. A series of spring elements 102 positioned between brackets 94, 98 bias the upper bracket 98 to a centered position 97 shown in FIGS. 13-15, however a variety of other biasing means (not shown) may be employed in lieu of the spring elements 102. A latch member 110 is secured to the upper bracket 98 and extends downwardly into the spaced surrounded by the lower bracket 94.

Slide plate 104, and thus the tray 56, are releasably connected to the upper bracket 98 by means of a hinge pin 108 that extends through ears 106 on the slide plate 104 and a portion 99 of the upper bracket 98. The hinge pin 108 may include a handle 108 a that allows easy removal of the hinge pin 108. Removing the hinge pin 108 releases the tray 56 from the portable carrier 30 b, thus allowing the tray 56 to be used in either placing the formed part 38 on a substrate (not shown), or transporting the formed part 38 to a curing die (not shown), or to be replaced with another tray 56 having a different die.

The tray 56 may slide on the upper surface of the plate 104 which remains stationarily connected to the upper bracket 98. Four sets of guides 112 are mounted on the tray 56 and include rollers 112 a that engage the bottom and edges of the plate 104 in order to maintain alignment of the tray 56 relative to the plate 104 during sliding movement of the tray 56.

Reference is now also made to FIGS. 15 and 16, which depict details of the releasable coupling 95 previously mentioned in connection with FIG. 1. The first anvil 78 includes a projecting anvil arm 82 provided with a slot 84 in its outer end which complementarily receives the latch member 110. A pair of gripper arms 86 pivotally mounted on the anvil arm 82 move from their open position shown in FIG. 16, to a closed position locking the latch member 110 therebetween, thereby fixing the position of the first die 32 beneath the second die 34.

FIG. 17 illustrates locking mechanisms 109 which lock-in the contour of the first die 32 after the part 38 has been formed, so that the contoured first die 32 continues to conformally support the part 38 as it is being transported on the portable carrier 30 b. Flexible, compressible sleeves 101 are mounted on and pass vertically through the beam 60. The push rods 58 respectively pass through and are slidable within the sleeves 101. Each of the locking mechanisms 109 includes a pair of opposing clamps 103 hinged together and controlled by a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 105 which generates a force acting to draw the clamps 103 together, thereby applying clamping pressure to the sleeve 101. The clamping pressure applied to the sleeves 101 by the clamps 103 compress the sleeves 101 to clamp the push rods 58 in place, in turn locking the die portions 32 a of the first die 32 against relative movement. In other words, locking the push rods 58 in place fixes the contour of the first die 32.

Referring now also to FIGS. 1-5 and 12, in operation, the portable carrier 30 b is moved into proximity with the forming machine 30 a and the push rods 58 are guided into and locked to the first anvils 78. A flat charge 36 may be placed on the first die 32, following which the contour of the first die 32 is configured to a desired shape using the contour control actuators 77 to displace the vertical supports 72. Displacement of each of the vertical supports 72 results in the slide arm 68 moving either up or down, which in turn displaces the corresponding first anvil 78 that is locked to one of the push rods 58. Displacement of the push rods 58 by the first anvils 78 flexes the die tray 56 which in turn displaces the die portions 32 a either up or down to form a desired contour substantially matching the contour of the part 38 to be formed. Thus, it may be appreciated that the contour control actuators 77 control the contour 37 assumed by the first die 32. The pivot pins 96 allow the charge 36 to twist about its longitudinal axis 43 (FIGS. 3, 6 and 7) during the forming process, and the sliding plate 104 provides arch length differences with constant actuator spacing, and also provides additional stiffness to the forming tray 56.

The first die 32 having been configured to a desired contour, the forming process is then commenced in which the second anvils 80 independently displace portions of the upper backing plate 48 which in turn displaces portions 34 a of the flexible, second die 34. As will be described in more detail below, as the second die 34 is closed against the contoured first die 32, portions of the charge 36 are progressively formed to the desired contour by sequentially displacing second die portions 34 a in a manner that maintains the charge in tension during the forming process.

As previously discussed, maintaining the charge 36 in tension may reduce the possibility of wrinkling of the charge 36 during forming. The disclosed embodiments maintain the charge 36 in tension during the forming process by forming the charge 36 from the top down or the bottom up, depending upon the direction of a particular contour on the part 38. By forming from the top down or bottom up beginning at the steepest part of the contour, the plies of the charge 36 are constantly being formed toward a large radius of the contour, thus maintaining the plies in tension.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 18-20 which diagrammatically illustrate the order in which the shape forming actuators 75 may be sequentially actuated to progressively form the charge 36 such that the forming progresses from the steepest to progressively less steep areas of the contour. In other words, the forming progresses from the areas having the most contour to those having the least contour. In FIGS. 18-20, the x-axis represents the position of the shape forming actuators 75, while the y-axis indicates the amount of displacement of the actuators 75.

In FIG. 18, the numeral 114 designates an engineering defined reference line passing through the displacement points 120 of the shape forming actuators 75, and thus substantially conforms to the contour of the part 38 after forming. FIG. 18 represents bottom up forming in which the upper and lower actuators 75, 77 respectively, are positioned at the points 120 represented in the figure. Forming of hat section 40 occurs as the upper die 34 is held stationary and the lower die portions 32 a move upwards. As an optional sequence, forming begins at the steepest part 123 of the contour and progresses sequentially toward the ends of the charge 36. FIG. 19 illustrates another reference line 122 corresponding to a different contour shape in which forming is commenced near the middle of the charge 36, as shown by the numeral 124 where shape forming actuators 75 near the center of the charge 36 engage and form the area that has the greatest contour before the remaining shape forming actuators 75 progressively form the areas that have less contour. Reference lines above the x-axis represent top down forming, while a reference line below the x-axis indicates bottom up forming. The numeral 126 designates the total starting delay between the forming actuators 75 near the center of the charge 36 compared to those at the outer extremities of the charge 36.

FIG. 20 shows a reference line 130 corresponding to a compound, contoured part 38 having both convex and concave curves. In this example, forming is commenced by the more centrally located shape forming actuators 75 and the forming process progresses from the center using both top down forming and bottom up forming to form the convex and concave shapes of the part 38.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 21 which depicts, in functional block form, a control system forming part of the apparatus 30 for forming highly contoured composite parts 38. The control system includes a controller 134 which may be a PC (portable computer) or a PLC (programmable logic controller) that controls the operation of the contour control actuators 77 and the shape forming actuators 75. The controller 134 may access files 140 containing a plurality of data sets 142. The data sets 142 contain data representing the contours for each of a plurality of parts 38. The controller 134 also uses a control program 138 which may include an algorithm that determines how the forming should progress and the sequential operation of the shape forming actuators 75 necessary to maintain the charge 36 in tension during forming. A set of operator input controls 136 allows an operator to input or change any of the data sets 142 as well as the control program 138 with operator defined values. The controller 134 may also receive signals from the load cell 90 which may be used to monitor the pressure applied to the charge 36 by the actuators 75, 77.

Based on a part number selected by an operator using the operator input controls 136, the controller 134 selectively actuates the contour control actuators 77 in order to configure the first die 32 to a contour corresponding to that of the selected part 38. The contour of the first die 32 having been configured, the controller 134 then selectively controls the shape forming actuators 75 to carry out progressive forming of the charge 36 using either top down or bottom up forming, or a combination of both, as described above. From the foregoing, it may be appreciated that automated control and algorithms, the apparatus 30 may form a flat charge 36 into a part 38 from the bottom up or top down or any combination in between. This allows any given part 38 to change form without wrinkles regardless of whether it is bent in a convex or concave direction or a combination of both anywhere along its length.

FIG. 22 broadly illustrates the steps of the forming method described above. Beginning at 144, a flat charge 36 is placed between the upper and lower dies 32, 34. Next at 146, the charge 36 is formed corresponding to the contour of the part 38 without forming the cross sectional profile. The flat charge 36 is formed to the contour of the centerline 43 (see FIG. 7) of the part 38 by closing the dies 32, 34 until they are separated by the thickness of the charge 36, and then displacing the die portions 32 a, 34 a in a manner that shapes or “bends” the flat charge 36; at this point, the cross section of the charge 36 is still flat, but the profile of the charge 36 is that of the contoured centerline 43. Finally, at 148, the cross sectional profile of the charge 36 is formed starting at the smallest radius (38 a in FIG. 7) and forming towards the larger radius of the part 38. The forming rate can be controlled by the actuators 75, 77 being controlled to move at the same speed, or to move at different speeds such that the forming is completed for all actuators at the same time, or a combination both timing and speed.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 23 which depicts further details of the method for forming highly contoured composite parts 38. Beginning at step 150, a flat charge 36 is laid up on the first die 32. At 152, an operator may select and input the number of a particular part that is to be formed. Data describing the shape and dimensions for a plurality of part numbers may be stored at step 154. Then, after the operator has input an identifier, such as without limitation, a part number, at 152, the controller 134 may retrieve data from storage for the selected part number, as shown at 156. At step 158, based on the retrieved part data, the controller 134 adjusts the contour of the first die 32 to substantially match that of the selected part through individual operation of the contour control actuators 77. Next, at 160, the controller 134 uses the retrieved part data and an algorithm forming part of a program 138 to calculate the displacement and sequence of movement for the second die portions 34 a that will result in the charge 36 remaining in tension during the forming process.

At this point, the first and second dies 32, 34 respectively have been readied for forming. At 162, the controller 134 controls the shape forming actuators 75 to sequentially displace the second die portions 34 a so that the charge 36 is progressively formed while tension is maintained on the charge throughout the forming process. When the first and second dies 32, 34 have been completely closed, the charge is formed to shape at step 164.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 24 which illustrates the manner in which the first die 32 and die tray 56 may be employed in a method for locating and placing a formed part 38 on a substrate, such as an uncured composite skin 70. As previously described, following the forming process, the tray 56 may be disconnected from the portable carrier 30 b by removing the hinge pin 108 (see FIG. 15). The tray 56 may then be mounted on an arm 172 or similar device forming part of a placement machine 174 such as, without limitation, a robot. With the die tray 56 secured to the arm 172, the placement machine 174 may be used to precisely locate and then place the formed part 38 on the skin 170, following which the die tray 56 and die 32 are retracted and returned to the portable carrier 30 b.

FIG. 25 illustrates a method for fabricating a composite part that employs the portable carrier 30 b previously described. Commencing at 180, a flat charge 36 is formed into a part 38. The contour of the first die 32 is locked in place at 182, following which the dies 32, 34 may be opened at 184. At this point, as shown at 186, the portable carrier 30 b is uncoupled from the forming machine 30 a, allowing the carrier 30 b to be transported away from the forming machine 30 a. As shown at 188, the formed part 38 is supported in the first die 32 on the tray 56 as the portable carrier 30 b is uncoupled and moved away from the forming machine 30 a. At step 190, the portable carrier 30 b is used to transport the formed part 38 to a placement site while being supported in the first die 32. At the placement site, as shown at step 192, the die tray 56 is released from the portable frame 30 b by removing the hinge pin 108. Next at 194, the die tray 56 may be connected to a placement machine 174 (FIG. 23). At 196, the placement machine 174 uses the die tray 56 and first die 32 to place the formed part onto a substrate such as the skin 170 shown in FIG. 23, or alternatively onto a cure tool (not shown). In some applications, it may be possible to use the die tray 56 and first die 32 to hold the formed part 38 during curing. At 200, the die tray 56 may be reinstalled on the portable carrier 30 b, following which the tray 56 and first die 32 may be returned to the forming machine 30 a using the portable carrier 30 b. At step 202, the portable carrier 30 b is re-coupled to the forming machine 30 a.

Embodiments of the disclosure may find use in a variety of potential applications, particularly in the transportation industry, including for example, aerospace, marine and automotive applications. Thus, referring now to FIGS. 26 and 27, embodiments of the disclosure may be used in the context of an aircraft manufacturing and service method 210 as shown in FIG. 26 and an aircraft 212 as shown in FIG. 27. During pre-production, exemplary method 210 may include specification and design 214 of the aircraft 212 and material procurement 216. During production, component and subassembly manufacturing 218 and system integration 220 of the aircraft 212 takes place. Thereafter, the aircraft 212 may go through certification and delivery 222 in order to be placed in service 224. While in service by a customer, the aircraft 212 is scheduled for routine maintenance and service 226 (which may also include modification, reconfiguration, refurbishment, and so on).

Each of the processes of method 210 may be performed or carried out by a system integrator, a third party, and/or an operator (e.g., a customer). For the purposes of this description, a system integrator may include without limitation any number of aircraft manufacturers and major-system subcontractors; a third party may include without limitation any number of vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers; and an operator may be an airline, leasing company, military entity, service organization, and so on.

As shown in FIG. 27, the aircraft 212 produced by exemplary method 210 may include an airframe 228 with a plurality of systems 230 and an interior 232. Examples of high-level systems 230 include one or more of a propulsion system 234, an electrical system 236, a hydraulic system 238, and an environmental system 240. Any number of other systems may be included. Although an aerospace example is shown, the principles of the disclosure may be applied to other industries, such as the marine and automotive industries.

Systems and methods embodied herein may be employed during any one or more of the stages of the production and service method 210. For example, components or subassemblies corresponding to production process 218 may be fabricated or manufactured in a manner similar to components or subassemblies produced while the aircraft 212 is in service. Also, one or more apparatus embodiments, method embodiments, or a combination thereof may be utilized during the production stages 218 and 220, for example, by substantially expediting assembly of or reducing the cost of an aircraft 212. Similarly, one or more of apparatus embodiments, method embodiments, or a combination thereof may be utilized while the aircraft 212 is in service, for example and without limitation, to maintenance and service 226.

Although the embodiments of this disclosure have been described with respect to certain exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the specific embodiments are for purposes of illustration and not limitation, as other variations will occur to those of skill in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of forming a contoured composite part comprising: placing a composite charge comprising multiple prepreg plies between a first die and a second die, the first die and the second die each comprise individually slidably displaceable portions configured to change a respective die contour, and the individually slidably displaceable portions are slidably displaceable with respect to a longitudinal direction of said composite charge; using one or more of the individually slidably displaceable portions to form a portion of the composite charge to a first contour of the part, said first contour comprising a curvature extending longitudinally with respect to said part; and following formation of the first contour, sequentially forming a remaining portion of the composite charge to at least one other contour extending longitudinally with respect to the part, sequentially forming includes longitudinally sliding one or more remaining individually slidably displaceable portions to form the remaining portion.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein using the first die and the second die to form a portion of the composite charge to the first contour of the part comprises: adjusting a contour of the first die to substantially match the first contour of the composite part; and closing portions of the second die against portions of the first die in an area of the first contour.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein using the first die and the second die to form the remaining portion of the composite charge includes forming the composite charge by moving a lower one of the first and the second die to progressively shape the composite part.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein using the first die and the second die to form the remaining portion of the composite charge includes forming the composite charge by moving an upper one of the first die and the second die to progressively shape the composite part.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein using the first die and the second die to form a portion of the composite charge includes displacing only a portion of one of the first die and the second die into engagement with the composite charge.
 6. A method of reducing wrinkles in a composite charge as the composite charge is being formed into a part having a contour, comprising: placing the composite charge, comprising multiple prepreg plies, between a first die and a second die, each of the first die and the second die comprises individually slidably displaceable portions configured to change a respective die contour, the individually slidably displaceable portions configured to slide with respect to a longitudinal direction of said composite charge; forming a first portion of the composite charge in a relatively steep part of the contour, said contour comprising a curvature extending longitudinally with respect to said part; following formation of the first portion, sequentially forming other portions of the composite charge to other progressively relatively less steep parts of the contour, wherein formation includes longitudinally slidably displacing the second die; and maintaining tension on the composite charge as the other portions of the composite charge are being formed, wherein maintaining tension is performed by clamping down on the relatively steep part of the contour while longitudinally slidably displacing.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein forming the other portions of the composite charge includes forming portions of the composite charge into parts of the contour by moving a lower one of the first die and the second die to engage the other to progressively form relatively less steep parts with respect to the relatively steep part of the contour.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein forming the other portions of the composite charge includes forming portions of the composite charge into parts of the contour by moving an upper one of the first die and the second die to engage the other to progressively form relatively less steep parts with respect to the relatively steep part of the contour.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein forming the other portions of the composite charge includes sequentially forming portions of the composite charge into parts of the contour that are progressively less steep relative to the relatively steep part of the contour.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein relative movement of the first die and the second die, including said individually slidably displaceable portions, is controlled by a controller accessing data files representing the contours and calculating a relative displacement between the first die and the second die, including said individually slidably displaceable portions, wherein calculating is further configured to maintain said tension.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first die and the second die comprise a plurality of moveable actuators configured to respectively displace said individually slidably displaceable portions of the first die and the second die.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein using the first die and the second die to form the remaining portions of the composite charge to other contours of the part includes moving both of the first die and the second die to engage the other to progressively form the other contours.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of a speed and a timing of relative movement of individually displaceable portions of one or both of the first die and the second die is controlled during formation of the other contours.
 14. The method of claim 6, wherein a relative movement of the first die and the second die, including the individually slidably displaceable portions, is controlled by a controller accessing data files representing said contour and calculating a relative displacement between the first die and the second die, including said individually slidably displaceable portions, wherein controlling is configured to maintain said tension of the composite charge as the composite charge is being formed.
 15. The method of claim 6, wherein the first die and the second die comprise a plurality of moveable actuators to respectively displace said individually slidably displaceable portions of the first die and the second die.
 16. The method of claim 6, wherein forming other portions of the composite charge to the other progressively relatively less steep parts of the contour includes moving both of the first die and the second die to engage the other to progressively form the other progressively relatively less steep parts.
 17. The method of claim 6, wherein at least one of a speed and a timing of relative movement of individually displaceable portions of one or both of the first die and the second die is controlled during forming of said part.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the first contour comprises a relatively steepest contour and the at least one other contour comprises at least a progressively less steep contour.
 19. The method of claim 1 further comprising: maintaining tension on the composite charge by clamping the one or more of the individually slidably displaceable portions down on the composite charge while longitudinally sliding the one or more remaining individually slidably displaceable portions. 